A Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Litigation for Town of Alvord and Wise County Families: Protecting Your Student at Texas Universities

The Town of Alvord Parent’s Nightmare: When Campus Traditions Turn Dangerous

A student from Town of Alvord returns home from college at Thanksgiving, but something is different. The bright, energetic high school graduate who left for the University of North Texas or Texas A&M now seems withdrawn, anxious, and exhausted. There are unexplained bruises on their back they dismiss as “just workouts.” Their phone constantly buzzes with group chat notifications, even at 2 AM. When you ask about their new fraternity or sorority, they become defensive: “It’s just tradition, everyone does it.” Then the call comes—your child is in the hospital with kidney failure from extreme dehydration, or worse, they’re facing criminal charges for participating in activities they felt pressured to join.

This isn’t hypothetical. Right now, less than three hours from Town of Alvord in Wise County, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” made to lie in vomit-soaked grass, and required to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. His urine turned brown from muscle breakdown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

For families in Town of Alvord, Bridgeport, Decatur, and across Wise County, this case represents a stark reality: the universities where you send your children—whether it’s nearby University of North Texas in Denton (just 45 minutes away), Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, or any of Texas’s 96 campuses—can harbor dangerous traditions that institutions often try to minimize or cover up. This comprehensive guide exists to give you, as a Town of Alvord parent or concerned community member, the knowledge, resources, and understanding you need to protect your student and hold accountable those who put them in danger.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many Town of Alvord parents remember hazing as “pranks” or “initiations,” but modern hazing has evolved into systematic abuse that organizations work hard to conceal. For Wise County families with students at Texas universities, understanding these evolving tactics is the first step toward protection.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Harmless”)

These behaviors emphasize power imbalances and create psychological pressure:

Digital control: 24/7 GroupMe monitoring, required immediate responses to messages at all hours, location tracking via Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends
Servitude: Acting as designated drivers at all hours, cleaning members’ rooms, running errands, being “on call” constantly
Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission to socialize with outside friends
Academic interference: Mandatory late-night meetings during exam weeks, “study blocks” that are actually interrogation sessions

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creating Hostile Environments)

These behaviors cause measurable physical or emotional harm:

Sleep deprivation: Late-night “meetings,” 3 AM wake-up calls, multi-day events with minimal rest
Forced consumption: Eating disgusting food combinations (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced on UH’s Bermudez), chugging substances until vomiting
Public humiliation: Forced embarrassing performances, degrading costumes, “roasting” sessions where pledges are verbally torn down
Extreme physical activity: “Workouts” far beyond safe conditioning, like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that nearly killed Bermudez

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Potential for Injury or Death)

These are criminal acts that organizations try to frame as “tradition”:

Forced alcohol consumption: The #1 cause of hazing deaths nationwide—lineup drinking games, Big/Little nights with handles of liquor, “Bible study” drinking quizzes
Physical beatings: Paddling (still prevalent despite national prohibitions), punching, kicking, “gladiator” fights
Sexualized hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault or coercion
Dangerous environments: Left outside in extreme weather, locked in freezing rooms, dangerous driving while intoxicated

Where Hazing Happens Beyond Greek Life

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, Town of Alvord students face risks in multiple campus organizations:

Athletic Programs: Texas A&M Corps of Cadets has faced multiple lawsuits alleging degrading hazing, including cadets being bound between beds in “roasted pig” positions. Northwestern University’s 2023 football hazing scandal shows even elite programs harbor abuse.

Spirit and Tradition Groups: UT Austin’s “Absolute Texxas” spirit group has been disciplined for hazing violations. These organizations often fly under university radar.

Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Florida A&M’s 2011 drum major death during a band hazing ritual resulted in a $1 million settlement and shows these groups carry similar risks.

Academic and Service Organizations: Even honor societies and service fraternities have documented hazing incidents.

Texas Hazing Law: What Town of Alvord and Wise County Families Must Know

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, three legal frameworks come into play: Texas state law, federal regulations, and the university’s own policies. Understanding this layered system is crucial for protecting your rights.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Criminal Hazing Provisions

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that apply whether the incident occurs in Houston, College Station, or to your child from Town of Alvord attending a Wise County-accessible campus like University of North Texas.

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership.

Key Points for Town of Alvord Families:

Location doesn’t matter: Off-campus houses, Airbnbs, retreat centers—all covered
“Consent is not a defense”: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under the law
Mental health counts: Psychological harm qualifies alongside physical injury

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death (this applied to Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis case)

§ 37.154 Reporter Protections: Students who report hazing in good faith or call 911 in emergencies receive immunity from university discipline and limited legal protection.

How Texas Law Compares to Landmark Statutes

Other states have strengthened laws after tragic deaths:

Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Law: Enhanced penalties after Penn State death
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act: Felony hazing statute
Ohio’s Collin’s Law: Felony when drugs/alcohol cause harm
Florida’s Chad Meredith Law: Criminalized hazing after drowning death

Texas falls in the middle—strong on paper but lacking the public awareness campaigns of these “named” laws. The Bermudez case at UH could drive similar Texas reforms.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen prevention programs
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX obligations trigger additional university responsibilities.

Clery Act: Requires reporting certain crimes in annual security reports; hazing incidents involving assault or alcohol crimes often fall under Clery.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Common charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims/families (like the Bermudez lawsuit)
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Legal theories: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision

Critical Insight: A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue a civil case. Many families achieve civil justice even when prosecutors decline criminal charges.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students: Those who planned, participated in, or covered up hazing
Local Chapter: The fraternity/sorority as a legal entity
National Headquarters: Pi Kappa Phi national is being sued in the Bermudez case alongside the local chapter
University/Board of Regents: UH and the UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the UH case
Housing Corporations: The Beta Nu housing corporation is being sued separately
Third Parties: Landlords, alcohol providers, security companies

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Tells Us About Texas Risks

The Bermudez case at UH follows patterns seen in fatal hazing cases nationwide. These precedents matter for Town of Alvord families because the same national organizations operate at Texas campuses.

Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: The Deadliest Trend

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Bid acceptance night with forced drinking, fatal falls captured on chapter cameras, delayed 911 call. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Big/Little night, forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey, died from alcohol poisoning. Result: Multiple convictions, $10 million settlement ($7M from Pike national, $3M from BGSU).

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): “Bible study” drinking game, wrong answers = forced drinking, died with 0.495% BAC. Result: Negligent homicide conviction, $6.1 million verdict, Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Big Brother night, given handle of liquor, died from alcohol poisoning. Result: Criminal charges, FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily.

Physical Hazing Pattern: Brutal “Traditions”

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat, died from traumatic brain injury, delayed 911. Result: Fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, national organization criminally convicted.

Danny Santulli – Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Pledge dad reveal night, forced excessive drinking, suffered permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see). Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, chapter closed, ongoing 24/7 care needed.

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired then settled wrongful-termination claim, confidential settlements.

What These Cases Mean for Town of Alvord Families

Patterns repeat: The same scripts (Big/Little nights, drinking games, extreme workouts) recur across campuses
Cover-ups are standard: Delayed medical care, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses
National organizations know the risks: Their anti-hazing policies exist because they’ve seen deaths before
Settlements are substantial: $1M-$14M range for deaths, multi-million for catastrophic injuries
Legislative change follows tragedy: Public outrage drives new laws

Texas University Focus: Where Town of Alvord Students Face Risks

Wise County families send students throughout Texas, but certain universities demand particular attention based on their Greek life cultures, histories, and proximity to Town of Alvord.

University of North Texas (Denton) – 45 Minutes from Town of Alvord

For Town of Alvord Families: UNT represents the closest major university, with many Wise County students choosing this accessible campus. Its growing Greek life presents both opportunities and risks.

Campus Profile: UNT has 44+ fraternities and sororities across four councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural). The Denton campus serves over 40,000 students with an increasingly residential population.

Documented Issues: While UNT maintains lower public hazing visibility than larger Texas schools, the university’s 2023 Clery Report documented multiple alcohol and drug referrals from Greek organizations. The proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth Greek networks means UNT chapters often interact with organizations involved in metro-area incidents.

Greek Organizations at UNT: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, and multiple National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters maintain active presences. These same nationals face hazing allegations at other Texas campuses.

Town of Alvord-Specific Considerations: Students from small communities like Town of Alvord may be particularly vulnerable to social pressure in large Greek systems. Family support networks are close but may lack experience with Greek life complexities.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life Intersection

For Town of Alvord Families: Many Texas A&M students come from rural Texas communities like Wise County, drawn by tradition, engineering programs, and the Corps of Cadets.

Corps of Cadets Hazing History: The Corps has faced multiple lawsuits alleging systematic hazing:

2023 Lawsuit: Cadet alleged being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth, sought over $1 million
Cultural Issues: Tradition-heavy environment with reported discipline problems, though A&M states it handles matters under Corps regulations

Greek Life Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Pledges sued for $1 million, chapter suspended two years
Kappa Sigma (2023): Allegations of hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis—the same muscle breakdown condition Bermudez suffered at UH

What Town of Alvord Parents Should Know: The Corps-Greek life overlap creates unique risks. Students may face pressure in both systems simultaneously. A&M’s disciplinary processes favor institutional protection over victim support in early stages.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency and Continued Problems

Public Hazing Violations Database: UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent systems at hazing.utexas.edu, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions.

Recent Sanctions:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, placed on probation
Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose; sued for over $1 million

What the Data Shows: Even with transparency, violations continue annually. Organizations serve probations then often re-offend. The public log strengthens civil cases by establishing pattern evidence.

Southern Methodist University – Private School Challenges

SMU’s Greek Dominance: With approximately 40% of students participating in Greek life, SMU’s social scene revolves around fraternities and sororities.

Documented Incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021
Limited Transparency: As a private university, SMU discloses less than public institutions, though lawsuits can compel discovery

Town of Alvord Considerations: SMU’s affluent culture may create additional pressure to “keep up” financially and socially. Private university status means different legal strategies may be needed.

Baylor University – Religious Identity and Accountability Gaps

Aftermath of Sexual Assault Scandals: Baylor’s history with institutional failure on abuse cases creates concern about hazing oversight.

Documented Issues:

Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
Cultural Challenges: Religious branding sometimes conflicts with accountability when “Christian” organizations engage in abuse

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Public Records Exposing Organizational Networks

For Town of Alvord families, understanding that fraternities and sororities exist within complex legal and financial networks is crucial. These aren’t just social clubs—they’re interconnected organizations with assets, insurance policies, and legal strategies for avoiding liability.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: What We Track

Our firm maintains comprehensive data on Texas Greek organizations because winning hazing cases requires understanding the entire ecosystem. For Town of Alvord families, this means we already know the players before you walk through our door.

IRS B83 Backbone – 125 Texas-Registered Greek Organizations:

These tax-exempt entities include house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies with EINs, legal names, and Texas addresses. Examples relevant to Wise County students:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN: 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN: 263170920 – Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University chapter)
Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc – EIN: 273662583 – Lufkin, TX 75904
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN: 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta chapter)
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN: 371768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459

North Texas Metro Organizations:

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro (which includes Denton County where UNT resides) contains 510 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. Examples:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX
Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington, TX
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation – Fort Worth, TX
Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity – Tau Deuteron Chapter – Waco, TX (at Baylor)

National Histories Matter: Pattern Evidence

When a UNT or Texas A&M chapter repeats hazing methods that caused deaths at other campuses, that history becomes powerful legal evidence:

Pi Kappa Alpha National Pattern:

Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021) – alcohol poisoning death
David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012) – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Multiple Texas chapters sanctioned for hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Pattern:

Carson Starkey (Cal Poly, 2008) – alcohol poisoning death
University of Alabama TBI case (2023) – traumatic brain injury lawsuit
Texas A&M chemical burns case (2021) – $1M lawsuit
UT Austin assault case (2024) – broken bones lawsuit

Why This Matters for Town of Alvord Families: When we sue a fraternity for hazing your child, we don’t start from zero. We already know their national history, insurance carriers, legal strategies, and prior incidents. This institutional knowledge comes from:

Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Our involvement in BP Texas City explosion litigation against billion-dollar defendants
Our comprehensive tracking of Greek organizations across Texas

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

When Town of Alvord families come to us after a hazing incident, they’re often overwhelmed, angry, and confused about what comes next. Here’s what a serious hazing investigation actually involves.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important):

GroupMe/WhatsApp/iMessage: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps visible
Social Media DMs: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook Messenger
Fraternity Apps: Many nationals have proprietary communication platforms
Recovery of Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often retrieve what students think is gone

Photos & Videos:

Injuries documented from multiple angles with scale references
Event locations, alcohol bottles, paddles, props
Social media posts/stories from participants

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, “tradition” binders, meeting minutes
Email chains between members about planning
National policies and training materials

University Records:

Prior conduct files (obtained via discovery or public records requests)
Campus police reports
Clery Act reports showing patterns

Medical Documentation:

ER records explicitly stating “hazing” as cause
Lab results (like Bermudez’s critically high creatine kinase levels)
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

Medical bills (current and future)
Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Diminished earning capacity (for permanent injuries like brain damage)
Therapy and rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, courts may award additional damages to punish defendants and deter future conduct.

Realistic Timeline and Process

Phase 1: Immediate Response (Days 1-30)

Evidence preservation before deletion
Medical documentation
Initial demand letters to preserve insurance coverage
University reporting decisions

Phase 2: Investigation (Months 2-6)

Subpoenas for digital records
Witness interviews
Review of national organization histories
Expert consultations (medical, economic, Greek life)

Phase 3: Negotiation (Months 6-18)

Settlement discussions with multiple insurers
Mediation sessions
Evaluation of trial vs. settlement options

Phase 4: Litigation (Months 18-36+)

Filing lawsuit if settlements fail
Discovery process
Depositions of members, officers, university officials
Possible trial

Insurance Coverage Fights

Fraternity and university insurers often argue:

“Hazing is an intentional act excluded from coverage”
“The national organization didn’t know about local chapter conduct”
“The university has sovereign immunity” (for public schools)

Our advantage: Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney. He knows exactly how these companies value claims, use Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements, and deploy delay tactics. We counter with:

Legal arguments that negligent supervision (not just intentional hazing) is covered
Evidence of national organizations’ knowledge through prior incidents
Multiple policy targets (chapter, national, university, individual members)

Practical Guides for Town of Alvord Families, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Response Strategy

Physical Red Flags:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Weight changes from food/water manipulation
Signs of alcohol poisoning (slurred speech, vomiting, confusion)

Behavioral Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping precipitously
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Lost scholarships or academic probation

Financial Clues:

Unexpected large expenses (alcohol, costumes, “fines”)
Maxed credit cards or requests for money without clear reasons

Questions to Ask Your Child

“How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
“What do they ask new members to do?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to?”

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting Evidence Be Deleted: “Cleaning up” messages or photos looks like obstruction of justice. Preserve everything immediately.
Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense, evidence destruction, and witness coaching. Let attorneys handle communication.
Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Universities often pressure quick settlements that waive legal rights. Never sign without attorney review.
Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility. Let your lawyer control messaging.
Waiting for University Investigations: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run. Act quickly while evidence exists.
Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements are used against you. “My attorney will contact you” is the only response.

For Students: Safety Planning and Exit Strategies

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment:

Am I being pressured to do something dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Am I being told to keep secrets from outsiders?
Are older members making us do things they don’t do themselves?

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send written resignation: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
If threatened, report to campus police and Dean of Students immediately

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshot group chats with timestamps visible
In Texas, you can legally record conversations you’re part of (one-party consent)
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days to show progression
Save all digital evidence to cloud storage or email to yourself

For Witnesses/Former Members: Navigating Guilt and Responsibility

If you participated in hazing and now regret it:

Your testimony can prevent future harm
Consult an attorney about your potential exposure
Cooperation can sometimes be structured to protect you while ensuring accountability
Many find that coming forward is the only way to make peace with their involvement

Why The Manginello Law Firm for Town of Alvord Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities, national fraternities, and their insurance companies fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Deploy Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements

As Mr. Peña says: “We know their playbook because we used to run it. When we demand accountability for hazing victims, we’re speaking their language and anticipating every defense.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation against billion-dollar defendants. That same capability applies when taking on:

National fraternities with unlimited legal budgets
University systems with deep-pocketed insurers
Defense firms that specialize in protecting institutions

Multi-Million Dollar Results:
We’ve recovered millions for catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including:

Brain injury with vision loss from workplace accident: multi-million dollar settlement
Leg amputation after car accident: multi-million dollar settlement
Numerous wrongful death cases with economist collaboration

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

How criminal hazing charges interact with civil cases
How to advise witnesses with potential exposure
Defense strategies that might be used against your child

Investigative Depth:
We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When you hire us, we don’t start from zero—we already know:

The national organization’s hazing history
Insurance carriers and coverage details
Prior incidents at the same chapter
University discipline patterns

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Town of Alvord’s Hispanic families in their native language. Cultural understanding matters in sensitive hazing cases.

Our Approach: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our approach balances:

Listening First: We hear your complete story without judgment, understanding the emotional trauma alongside the legal issues.

Thorough Investigation: Like in the Bermudez case, we dig deep—obtaining deleted messages, uncovering prior incidents, tracking organizational networks.

Strategic Positioning: We identify all potentially liable parties: individual members, chapter officers, housing corporations, national headquarters, universities, third-party vendors.

Trial Readiness: Most cases settle, but settlement value comes from being prepared to try the case. We build every case as if it’s going to trial.

Privacy Protection: We fight to keep your family’s story private while pursuing accountability. Most settlements include confidentiality provisions.

Call to Action for Town of Alvord and Wise County Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends University of North Texas, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus—you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have experienced lawyers and crisis management teams. You deserve the same level of representation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911:

We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in your own words
Evidence Review: We’ll look at any photos, messages, or medical records you have
Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, university processes, and realistic expectations
Questions Answered: No question is too basic—we explain everything clearly
No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact The Manginello Law Firm Today

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Spanish Services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Serving Town of Alvord and All of Texas:
While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Wise County, Denton County, and all communities affected by campus hazing.

Additional Resources

Educational Videos:

Firm Practice Areas:

Wrongful Death Claims: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal Defense: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
Attorney Profiles: Ralph Manginello , Lupe Peña

National Reporting:

National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous)
StopHazing.org: Research and prevention resources

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com